title: Incidence and pattern of oesophageal perforations in Kenyatta National Hospital.
abstract: A retrospective study of 42 patients with perforations of the oesophagus during the period 1981-1987 indicated that 57.1% of the perforations were iatrogenic. Diseases of the oesophagus and in contiguous structures and foreign bodies in the oesophagus caused perforations in 31% of the cases. Perforations in 35.7% of the patients were located in the middle third of the oesophagus. The lower and upper thirds were affected in 31% of the patients in each site. The presenting physical signs included tachycardia (78.6%), fever (76.2%) and dyspnoea (59.5%). The main accompanying symptoms were chest pain and coughs in 100% and in 50% of the patients respectively. Radiographic findings showed hydropneumothorax in 40.5% of the cases and consolidation in 38.1% of the patients. Oesophagoscopy was positive in 78% of cases tested while thoracocentesis was positive in all cases that were tested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, Nairobi.
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Wachira
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Mwaniki
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Odhiambo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies; D006801:Humans; D006872:Hydropneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000209:etiology